GV 





PRESENTED BY 




44 



Entertaining 

With 

Cards. 

THIRD Edition. 




Entertainin 



with Cards. 



Third edition. Enlarged and illustrated. 



The United States Playing Card Co. 

CINCINNATI, O., U. S. A. 




\o\00 



Copyrighted, 1900, by 
The United States Playing Card Company, 
cincinnati, u. s. a. 



INDEX. 



PAGE. 



All-Hallow E'en Card Party ; 53 

April Fool Card Party 37 

Bachelor's Choice 55 

Bicycle Euchre 42 

Bohemian Card Party 44 

Breakfast Card Party 59 

Bud Party (Debutante Party) — 44 

Carnation Party 44 

Card German 47 

Children's Card Parties 62 

Colonial Card Party 34 

Color Party (Scarlet Party, Pink Party, Violet Party, Orange Party) 62 

College Card Party 38 

Debutante Party -. 44 

Dickens Card Party 58 

Dutch Party (Holland Party) 60 

Entertaining with Cards 9 

Chairs 14 

Counters 14 

Details of Arrangements 10 

Favors 22 

Invitations 10 

Prizes 20 

Scoring- Devices, Tallies, etc 15 

The Bells 19 

The Cards 11 

The Decorations 11 

The Guests 9 

The Luncheon , 22 

The Tables 13 

Fancy Dress Card Party (Historical Card Party, Shakespearean Card 

Party, Dickens Card Party) 58 

Farmer's Card Party (Rustic Party) 61 

Flower Party (Primrose Party, Sweet-Pea Party, Carnation Party) 44 

Fortune-telling Party 52 

Grand Party 48 

Hard Time Party 51 

Heart Party (Valentine Party) 41 

Historical Card Party 58 

Holland Party 60 



PAGE. 

Hustling- Joe Party 37 

Holly Party 43 

Indian Card Party (Pow-Wow Party) 36 

Jack Frost Card Party 59 

Japanese Party 46 

Lawn Card Party (Picnic Card Party] 49 

Masquerade Card Party 61 

Matinee Card Party 42 

Military Party 43 

Most Popular Games 26 

Points 26 

Rules Governing- 26 

Orange Party 62 

Owl Party _ 50 

Party of Famous People 57 

Patr'otic Party (Military Party) 43 

Photograph Party 50 

Picnic Card Party - . . 49 

Pink Party 62 

Points on Conducting a Large Euchre 30 

Porch Card Party 47 

Post-Easter Card Party 56 

Poverty Card Party (Hard Time Party) 51 

Primrose Party 44 

Progressive Play 27 

Pow-Wow Party 36 

Pilgrim Card Party (Colonial Card Party) 34 

Railroad Excursion 38 

Ride and Rest Card Party 34 

Rustic Party 61 

Scarlet Party 62 

Shakespearean Card Party 58 

St. Patrick's Party 57 

Sweet-Pea Party 44 

Solomon Grundy Party 36 

Secret Card Party 38 

Valentine Party 41 

Violet Party 62 

Washington's Birthday Party. . , 54 

Wedding Anniversary Card Party 37 



PREFACE. 



The present edition of ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS 
is made up largely from suggestions contained in answers 
to our prize competitions for best articles on card party 
entertainment. 

We are anxious at all times to aid in making novel 
card parties a success, and will be glad to receive descrip- 
tions of novel ideas which have been successfully 
introduced in card entertainments. 

If you have gotten up something new in the card 
party line, write us about it. 

The United States Playing Card Co. 



S." Playing Cards. 




GODDESS OF LIBERTY TRADE MARK 
ACE IN EVERY PACK. 



When Pa Brought Home the Prize* 



My pa and ma have joined a club, and every week they meet, 
And then next day pa kicks about the things they had to eat; 
He says that cakes and salads make him sick, and that it's wrong 
For folks to eat such stuff; but he keeps at it right along! 
And gee! what awful luck he has! The cards won't come his way; 
'Cause if they did the other folks might just as well not play. 

Ma's won three prizes, but pa claims she can't play, just the same. 
"It's always them that's green," he says, "that's sure to win the 
game! 

Why, if I held the cards you hold, I'd just shut up my eyes 
And promise every time I played to carry off a prize! 
But what's the difference, anyway, I only play for fun, 
And wouldn't give a snap for all the prizes you have won." 

"There's little science in the games these clubs play, anyway; 
It's just bull-headed luck, that's all!" pa said, the other day. 
But late last night, when they got home, I knew right off that pa 
Had won or something, by the way I heard him talk to ma ! 

"I tell you what," he said, as they came stumbling through the hall. 

"It's scientific playing tells at this game, after all! 

"It's not the prize I care about, but what I like to show 
Is that luck can't knock science out ;" and then he stubbed his toe! 
I thought the house was falling down, and ma she hollered "Oh !" 
And pa he said a lot of things— I shan't repeat them, though ! 
But when we sat at breakfast I ast pa who won the prize; 
He pointed at a broken plate, and tears came in his eyes. 

"Well, never mind," ma said to pa, "you've proved that you can 
play." 

"I know I have," pa said to ma; "they knew that, anyway!" 
And then he took the prize again and looked at it awhile, 
And sadly said he'd bet it cost a handsome little pile! 

"I guess it did," ma said, and so she showed him where and how 
They'd marked it down to thirty cents, and then there was a row. 
And I'm afraid the happy home we had is ruined now. 

Chicago Times- Herald. 



A GAME OF WHIST* 



"Come, draw the curtains, poke the fire, 
Shut out the rain and mist, 
Put down the evening paper, 

And let's have a game of Whist. 

Bring out the square oak table, Jack, 

You're so kind to assist, 
And now four cosy chairs, 

And we'll have a game of Whist. 

Father, you play with Mabel, 

And with you in the list. 
Jack and I will have to work 

To win our game of Whist." 

******* 

The game is done— in dim-lit hall. 
His lips a sweet mouth kissed. 

And soft, low tones half whispered, "Jack, 
I like a game of Whist." 



ALICE GRISWOLD HUSTON. 



Entertaining with Cards* 



A successful entertainment must combine a perfect harmony 
of all arrangements and a selection of congenial guests. 

The hostess whose parties are pronounced a success is the 
one who assembles a congenial circle of guests, who is clever 
enough to conceal all traces of formality and to make her friends 
fee' not only thoroughly at home, but that they are giving her 
as much pleasure as she them. 

There is no form of entertainm.ent that allows such diversity 
of style and such variety as entertainmients with cards. Card 
parties are appropriate for all hours — morning, afternoon or 
evening — and for all size assemblies, and can be as simple or 
elaborate as is desired. 

They require no effort to entertain on the part of the hostess. 
Once seated at the card tables with a new, crisp pack of cards 
before them, the guests will entertain themselves. No other form 
of entertainment requires so little effort or oversight. 

The Quests. — The first important feature of such an enter- 
tainment is the selection of the guests. As far as practicable all 
should have about the same knowledge of the game to be played. 
The mixing-up of experts and novices at a card-party often 
detracts from the enjoyment of all. The number of guests should 
depend on the capacity of the apartm.ents. Overcrowding should 
always be avoided. Where a large number of social obligations 
must be met, rather than overcrowd, it is better to give a serial 
party, continued from day to day, from evening to evening, or 



10 



Entertaining with Cards. 



from afternoon to evening, entertaining different guests at each 
session. The usual number of guests for an afternoon party is 
from sixteen to twenty-four, and for an evening, or more formal 
affair, the number may be more than twenty-four. 

Invitations. — These may vary, at the discretion of the 
hostess, from an engraved and printed invitation for a formal 
affair, to a simple announcement for a small party of intimates. 
The approved form for a small party is the written announcement 
on plain, wTiite paper: 




The hostess' card may be used with propriety, with date and 
hour, and the words, "Cards," "Whist," "Euchre," etc., 
noted on the lower left corner. 

Invitations should be sent out from a week to ten days in 
advance, to allow ample time for responses. 

The receipt of a card-party invitation should be acknowledged 
at once, with acceptance or declination, in order that the hostess 
can make provision for filling vacancies. 

Details of Arrangements.— In these the originality and 
taste of the hostess is allowed almost unlimited scope. Much 
depends on appropriate and tasteful decorations, originality of 
favors, tally-cards and prizes, the style and manner of serving of 
refreshments, etc. 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



II 



The constant aim of the hostess should be to make all details 
in keeping so that they will blend into a harmonious whole, at 
all times keeping the likes and dislikes of her guests, so far as 
she knows them, paramount in her mind. A correspondent, in 
writing on this subject, suggests that a hostess may please all 
the five senses of her guests : the sight, by tasty and pleasant 
surroundings; the touch, by new, crisp cards; the taste, by 
a dainty lunch ; the smell, by sweet-scented decorations ; the 
hearing, by soft music before play, and during the luncheon and 
intermissions. 

In this connection it may be stated that while musical acces- 
sories are pleasant during intermissions or before the play begins, 
etc., they are generally unwelcome to the guests while the play 
is in progress. 

All details of arrangements should be made in ample time, 
leaving nothing to be done and nothing to worry about at the 
last moment. 

The Cards.— As the first requisite for a successful card 
party, let your cards be new, fresh, bright and handsome. Do 
not make the mistake of thinking that the cards do not matter 
and that any pack will do. The cards are the one detail that 
makes or mars the whole affair. A hostess may entertain in 
the simplest manner and have a pack of handsome cards on each 
table, and the pleased expressions of her guests, as they seat 
themselves to play, will prove to her that they appreciate them 
more than they would have elaborate decorations. 

There is nothing more out of keeping with tasteful surround- 
ings and decorations than cheap, worn or gritty cards. With the 
large number of handsome designs now available at moderate 
prices, the hostess is allowed an almost unlimited scope for selec- 
tions in keeping with the surroundings — Japanese designs for a 
Japanese party. Delft designs for a Dutch party. Owl designs 
for an owl party, Landscape designs for a lawn party, etc. It is 
a positive pleasure to handle new, highly enameled and pliable 
cards — cards of uniform quality at each table. 

The U. S. Playing Card Co. are continually issuing hand- 
some designs to aid in special functions or in carrying out novel 
ideas in card entertaining, and will be glad to send, at any time, 
samples of the newest designs and addresses of dealers in your 
locality who carry them in stock. 

The Decorations.— The effectiveness of the decorations 
does not depend on their elaborateness. The charm often lies 
more in their artistic arrangement and suggestiveness than in 
their richness and profusion. Over-ornamentation must be 



12 



Entertaining with Cards. 



carefully avoided, and any decoration or furniture liable to inter- 
fere with the free movements of the guests should be removed. 

In floral decoration, smilax and airy asparagus are best for 
twining purposes. They are appropriate for all occasions and 
may be blended with holly for a Christmas party, lilies for the 
Easter season, with roses or violets in the Spring, and chrysan- 
themums in the fall. 

Unless the rooms can be well ventilated, strongly-scented cut 
flowers should not be used in too great profusion, as they will 
cause the atmosphere, if a little overheated, to become oppressive. 




PLAYING CARDS USED AS DECORATIONS. 

Neither should decorations be arranged to interfere with the 
perfect lighting of the room. A sufficient volume of light in all 
parts of the room is of first importance, even though it be 
softened in hues to match the decorations. Be sure that every 
guest has light enough to distinguish the cards without effort. 

For a debutante or "first" party, roses are appropriate decor- 
ations for the Spring season, and Autumn leaves, that "Jack 
Frost" has nipped, for the fall. 

Playing Cards themselves make suitable wall decorations. 
They should be arranged and grouped in as artistic a manner as 
possible. Group the cards so as to represent hands in the game 



Entertaining with Cards. 



13 



to be played. Thus, a group of Right and Left Bower, Ace, King 
and another Ace may be marked with a tastily-painted placard, 
"I play alone," three Nines and two Tens, "I pass," etc. 
Festoons of ribbons, decorated with cards, may be used with 
tasty effect. 

The Tables.— Where a large number of tables are used, they 
may, to avoid confusion in progressions, be divided into sections. 
Each section can then play independent of the others, using a 
bell at head table of one section, a whistle at another, etc. 

For four-handed play, the tables used are generally square, and 
not less than twenty-four nor more than thirty-six inches in diam- 
eter. Round tables, however are not out of place. They have no 
sharp, projecting corners, an advantage where space is limited. 

On special occasions, fancy-shaped tables may be used as 
being in keeping with the surrounding details or decorations, but 
ordinarily the plain, square table is preferable. 

The best arrangement for tables is either in a circle or as 
straight a line as possible, so that guests may the more readily 
distinguish and reach the next table to which they are to move. 
If in a straight line, space can be utilized to best advantage if 
tables are set thus : 



For six and eight-handed games, large, round tables are best. 
Special six and eight-sided tables are also made and are very 
convenient. 

If desired, folding tables may be used. These can generally 
be rented, so that all tables will be alike. They possess an 
important advantage in that they need not be opened up till the 
guests have arrived and are ready for play. 

If desired, the tops of the tables may be covered with baize, 
strong paper, oil-cloth, cheese-cloth, paper cambric, or other mate- 
rial, in fancy colors to suit the decorations. The oil-cloth and 
paper cambric have the best sliding surface for the cards, but if 
new, highly-polished cards are used, this is but a minor point. 
The covering protects a highly-polished surface, and makes a 
tasty, neat appearance and a perfect playing surface. 

The tables should be numbered plainly, and should be 
arranged as near to each other as convenient without crowding. 
The numbers can be cut from a large calendar, or gummed figures 
can be purchased from any stationer. 



14 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



Chairs. — These should be straight-backed and not too low. 
Rocking chairs should be relegated to corners where they will 
not interfere with the access of guests to the tables. 

Counters.— For counting points in Euchre, a two and three- 
spot can be used for each couple; if this is done, however, cards 
should be selected with backs of a different color and design from 
those being played with at the table. 

Specially-made counters of cardboard, celluloid or silver can 
be used. 

For scoring Cinch, Hearts, or other games where a record is 
desired of the total number oi points won or lost during the even- 
ing is desired, a special-ruled or printed card should be used, on 
which is a plus or minus column for each game. At the end of 
each game the number of points won or lost are placed opposite 
the space for that game, and at the end of the play the two 
columns are added together and the lesser amount subtracted 
from the greater. The result will be the net points won or lost 
during the evening. 

In games where there are no setbacks (points lost), a score- 
card may be ruled and punched as follows : 



. ffft" 




O TablJ 
O Couph 

I 


Lj2_ o 

o 

o 

o 

2 


o 
o 

O O 4^3 

O ^ X / 


2 o o 
o 



Thus, in playing Progressive Hearts, at the end of the first 
hand a player has taken in seven Hearts, the hostess punches a 
hole in the corner marked 5 and one in 2, making a total of seven. 
Thus, every player's card is marked at the end of each hand. At 



Entertaining with Cards. 



15 



the end of the play the cards are figured up, and the one who had 
taken in the least Hearts is given the prize. 

Scoring Devices, Tallies, etc.— The most accurate and 
least tioublesome devices for scoring games won are those man- 
ufactured specially for this purpose. The U. S. Self-scorer is 
especially adapted for a quick and accurate count, when a record 



















CAME 




CAME 5 









is desired of games won. It is the only scoring tablet adapted 
to counting half games and lone hands. Where, however, a 
record is to be kept of points won during entire play, as in Whist, 
Hearts, Cribbage, etc., special tally-cards are best. 

Tally-cards may also be utilized for scoring games won. Where 
used, they should be marked 

so as to guide players to the .-r:'"^' 

table and position at which /'/" """^*"'.>, 

they are to begin play. (See f '% ^ 

article on progressive play.) //I M 



Tally-cards may be varied 
in style, shape and color to suit 
the house decorations, and may 
consist of a single card or a 
group, tied together with rib- 
bons or silk cords. Thus, a 
fancy-shaped card may be 
mounted on a plain, oblong 
one of contrasting color, the top 
card being hand-painted or deco- 
rated, and the plain under-card 
being used to score on. If lone 
hands are to be counted, a third 
card may be added. A very 
pretty and patriotic effect may 
be secured by using three oblong 




cards — a small red one on top, 
a larger white one for the center, and a still larger blue one for 
the bottom. The top card may have the date and name of the 



16 



Entertaining with Cards. 



hostess printed or painted thereon. Hand-painted tally-cards are 
always appropriate. Small medallion photographs may be mounted 
on the tally-cards, with a printed announcement, date, or an 
appropriate quotation. 

Tally-cards showing a photo of the host and hostess, or a 
corner of the rooms in which games are played, is a pretty novelty. 
If the party is given in honor of a visitor or debutante, a photo of 
the guest of honor is appropriate. 

Where ladies and gentlemen play, the arrangement of the 
tally-cards in pairs, so that the gentlemen will have to hunt their 
partners, causes a pleasant diversion at the beginning of the 
evening — a time which is always in danger of being dull. Thus, 
the gentlemen's cards may be marked with the names of male 
characters, and the ladies' with females. Then the gentleman 
with the Romeo card will have to hunt his Juliet, David 
Copperfield his Dora, Othello his Desdemonia, etc. 

This idea may be varied in countless ways. A conundrum 
may be written on the gentlemen's cards, and the answers on the 
ladies;' or, the names of books on one and their authors on the 
other; or, one-half of a Mother Goose rhyme on each; or a 
picture may be drawn on a card, which is afterward cut in two, 
one-half serving as a gentleman's tally-card, and the other half 
as a lady's; or, half of a well-known couplet may be used on 
each, thus, ''Jack and Jill went up the hill," on one, and " To 
fetch a pail of water," on the other; or, for a war party, 
patriotic couplets, thus : 

" Oh I the star spangled banner, 
Oh I long may it wave " 

on one, and on its mate 

" O'er the land of the free 

And the home of the brave.'* 

The names of cities and their nicknames may also be used, 
thus: Boston, "The Hub;" Philadelphia, " The City of Homes;" 
Detroit, " City of the Straits;" Cincinnati, " Queen City of the 
West ;" Chicago, " Windy City," or " Garden City ;" Buffalo, 
" Queen City ;" Cleveland, " Forest City ;" Pittsburg, "Smoky 
City;" Washington, "City of Magnificent Distances;" Mil- 
waukee, "Cream Citv;" New York, "Gotham;" Minneapolis, 
"Falls City;" St. Louis, "Mound City;" San Francisco, "Golden 
Gate;" New Orleans, "Crescent City," etc. 

If the guests are all intimately acquainted, nothing of this 
kind may be needed to enliven the fore part of the evening, but 
if they are only slightly acquainted, some such plan may be 
utilized to add to the merriment. 



Entertaining with Cards. 



An idea which may cause some laughter is to paint flowers on 
the ladies' cards and write the names of these flowers on the 
gentlemen's cards. Each gentleman must then ascertain his 
partner by the flower on her card. If the ladies are enjoined to 
keep silence, it may cause the gentlemen much merriment to make 
his selection. The one who has the "rose" card, and, perhaps, 
the one who has the " carnation " card, may have no trouble, but 
when it comes to the " azalia," the "gloxina," etc., the riddle 
will become perplexing. 

For guiding the guests to their places for the first games, many 
novel ideas may be utilized. Pop-corn grains may be used, on 
each of which has been outlined a 
cunning little face. One grain is 
used for the head table, two grains 
for the second table, etc. Those 
for all the head couples are tied 
with red ribbon, and those for the 
side couples with blue. Violets, 
carnations, roses or other flowers 
may be utilized in the same way. 

Or, four flowers of a kind or 
color may be used for each table. 
Thus, two white roses for the 
ladies and two red roses for the 
gentlemen at the first table, using 
a different flower or a different 
color for each table. 
^ Another novel idea is the punching of as many holes in the 
tally-card previous to the play as the hostess intends shall be 
played. As a player wins a game a " Magill Fastener," such as 
are obtainable in all stationery stores, is fastened in the hole 
opposite that game. 

Or, candies tied to ribbons, peanuts, painted and strung on 
ribbons, violets, with long stems, or many other devices can be 
used the same way. 

Many odd and original devices may be planned to take the 
place of the tally-card. A woven silk pouch is frequently used, 
■ into which various objects, at the discretion of the hostess, are 
deposited, to indicate games w^on — such as small marbles, dainty 
little sea-shells, tiny trinkets, etc. The hostess of a Poverty 
Party furnished pouches made from coffee-sacking, and distri- 
buted bright, new pennies, fresh from the mint and shining like 
gold, to deposit therein. At a Dutch Party, each guest was fur- 
nished a little wooden shoe on a ribbon, and tiny pretzels were 
slipped on the ribbon to indicate games won, the shoe keeping 
them from slipping off the ribbon at the other end. A little 




Entertaining with Cards. 



cherry tree was used at a Washington's Birthday Party, candy 
cherries with wire stems being hung thereon as games were won. 
Similarly, a Christmas tree was used for a Christmas Party, with 
tiny toys and nicknacks for hanging thereon. English walnuts, 
painted and dressed in crimped tissue 
paper to represent different nationalities, 
may be used at a Bohemian or Fancy 
Dress Party, a lady and gentleman being 
given the same nationality and playing 
together. Candy hearts are appropriate 
for a Heart or Valentine Party. These 
should be drilled and strung on ribbons 
or kept in a heart-shaped receptacle. 
Any machinist will drill the hearts, but 
a liberal allowance must be made for 
breakage. Little bells strung on ribbons 
and attached to the tally-card or a ring 
are neat and their tinkling attractive. 
A popular mode of scoring is to furnish each player with a 
ring strung to a ribbon, or a wire bracelet from which are 
suspended a number of counters of any kind or shape desired, 
having some distinction between 
those for gentlemen and those for ,...r."-^.,, 
ladies. At the end 
of each game, each 
defeated lady gives 
one counter to 





the winning 
lady, and the 
defeated gen- 
tleman one to 
the winning 
gentleman at 
their table. 

The prize winners are 
the players having the 
most counters at the end of 
the play. 

This idea can be used for a 
Whist or other party where a 
record is desired of total number of 
points won. A larger number of 
counters will be necessary, how- 
ever, as many as fifty being sometimes necessary for each player. 

For games requiring a memorandum count, such as Cinch, 
Whist, etc., programme pencils should be attached to score card. 









Couple J8 










Game rslo. 1. 


3 




" a. 




II 


•• 3. 


/3 






7 




• • " 5. 


10 




«« " s. 






'< 7. 


/V 




•• e. 


3 




•■ s. 






" 10. 






Total, 


S7 




Total Net Gain — ^ ^ 
Total Net Loss 



Entertaining with Cards. 



A little thought will frequently originate some new and 
pleasing scoring device which will be appropriate to the party 
and surroundings. 

When it is desired to score half-games, a portion of the tally- 
card can be ruled off and used for punching them exclusively ; or 
they can be punched near the edge of the card and torn out so 
that there is no danger of conflicting them with whole punches. 

A portion of the tally-card may be ruled off for lone-hands if 
it is desired to score them. If lone-hands and half-games are 
both to be scored, the latter should be punched at edge of card ; or, 
if desired, a separate card can be used for punching lone-hands, 
and one for half-games. 

A hooded punch will save much litter and consequent labor 
if tally-cards are used. This punch has a compartment into 
which the punches fall and are confmed. They can be purchased 
from any stationer or from the news companies. 

A good plan for ascertaining the fmal result is to keep a record 
of the number of games played, and at conclusion, if twenty 
games have been played, the host asks, Has any lady won 
twenty games?" If there is no response, he asks the same 
question regarding nineteen and a half games ; then nineteen ; 
then eighteen and a half, etc., until the one with the highest score 
responds, the gentlemen's score being ascertained in the same 
way. 

It is a good plan for the hostess, if the count is to be made in 
the regular way, to make out a list of her guests and have it 
handy when play ceases, so that she can put down the fmal score 
quickly and without confusion. 

The score of the various players should never be announced^ 
nor comparisons or comments be allowed, before play ceases. It 
is not only embarrassing to the players in the lead, but often 
results in nervousness that has its bearing on the play and the 
fmal result. 

The Bells, — Where Rapid Euchre or other games requiring 
a bell to be used at each table are played, dainty glass bells, 
hand-painted, or very small silver hand-bells should be used. 
Where a bell is used at the head table only, a more elaborate 
silver stand-bell or gong may be used. To avoid accidental ring- 
ing of this bell, it may be placed ^n a small stand adjoining and 
in reach of the head table. By using such a stand, a very pretty, 
dainty, swinging bell may be improvised. It should be set in a 
green bower or stand, with a ribbon for a bell-rope. At a very 
successful party, a large farm bell, fully eighteen inches in 
diameter, was used, decorated with ribbons and set in an elevated 
stand of cut flowers and ferns which almost hid it. It was 
manipulated by two tiny pages in fancy costume, who rang it for 



20 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



the beginning and conclusion of each game. At another party, a 
set of cathedral chimes did service, hidden in flowers. These 
chimes were struck by a miniature "Old Father Time" in 
costume. At one party, the tables were equipped with old- 
fashioned cow-bells, bronzed and decorated with ribbons. 

Where Rapid Euchre is played, a very pretty idea, and one 
easily carried out, especially where all the tables are in one room, 
is to suspend a large bell, garlanded or concealed with flowers 
and draperies, from the chandelier. Broad ribbons of various 
colors are fastened to the bell and run to the ceiling over each 
table, with a loose end hanging down to within reach of the 
players. The first table scoring necessary points pulls the ribbon 
and rings the center bell. 

Where Rapid Euchre is not played, it is a popular custom to 
use a bell at head and foot tables only. 

Tin horns or whistles of various kinds may be substituted for 
bells. They may be of tiny size, to pin on the coat lapel or dress, 
up to the largest size obtainable. 

Prizes. — The diversity and richness of the prizes must be 
left to the discretion of the hostess, and the custom of the friends 
with whom she associates. The aim should be rather for 
novelty and daintiness than display. Prizes should never be 
ostentatious. In selecting them the hostess should cater, as far 
as her knowledge will permit, to the likes and dislikes of her 
guests. Thus, as an instance, the giving of a box of cigars to a 
man who dislikes smoking would be embarrassing to both donor 
and recipient. If the hostess is gifted with needle or brush, 
dainty favors can be made that will prove doubly acceptable. 

Prizes, if in packages, should be neatly wrapped and tied with 
ribbon. There is a certain "pleasure of anticipation " to both 
the fortunate winner and the onlookers in the untying of a neat 
and dainty package. 

Where more than one prize is given, and they 2ire of a char- 
acter that can be displayed, it is not considered amiss to allow 
the winner to make his own choice from among the prizes offered, 
the next highest having second choice, etc. 

Booby, or consolation prizes, should be given with great dis- 
cretion. Nine out of ten persons are sensitive over a poor score, 
let them disclaim it as they may. It is kindlier not to call atten- 
tion to an unfortunate lack of success. If consolation prizes are 
given they may be some little ornament or memento to console 
the guests for their loss, or may be something to create merri- 
ment among the guests. A silver-mounted rabbit's foot is appro- 
priate, with a wish for better luck next time. Other suitable 
consolation prizes are : A bottle of catsup, labeled " Try to Catch 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



21 



Up ;" a lighted candle, labeled "A Little More Light on the Sub- 
ject," or on the candelabra of which can be engraved — 

" With love I give this gift to thee. 
As from your play I know you need 
A little more light on the game," 

a pair of shoe-shaped match holders, labeled ''Always at the 
Foot;" a book on " How to Play Euchre," or Whist," as the 
case may be ; a little toy-size pack of cards, etc. 

One lady gave a tiny live mouse as a consolation prize. It 
had been captured and kept in a box for several days and became 
very tame. Around its neck was a ribbon tied in a bow and a 
ribbon tied to one of its legs was fastened to the box. 

The following are a few suggestions for prizes and favors : 

FOR LADIES. 



Toilet Table Accessories, 
Cut-glass Bon-bon Dish, 
Dresden, Delft, Rookwood, Teplitz 

or Bisque Articles, 
Potted Plants, such as Fern, Palm, 

Azalia, etc. 
Souvenir Spoons, 
Jardiniere, 
Vases, 

Comb and Brush Tray, 
Sofa Pillow, 
Toilet Bottles, 



Cut-glass Cracker Jar, 

Cut-glass Viniagrette, 

Hand-painted Fan, 

Rose Vase. 

Japanese Novelties, 

Pack of Fortune-telling Cards, 

Jewel Case, 

Work Basket, 

Embroidered Card-table Cover, 
Box of Bon-bons, 
Leather Belt, 
Bottle of Perfume. 



Articles for Traveling Valise, 
Tobacco Jar, cut-glass or in 

novelty shape, 
Long-stemmed Dutch Pipe, 
Paper Weight, 
Envelope Opener, 
Pocket Manicure Set, 
Walking Cane, 
Scarf Pin, 
Cuff Buttons, 
Cuff and Collar Box, 
Ash Tray, 



FOR GENTLEAIEN. 

Silver-mounted Flask, 
Silver-mounted Stein, 
Box of Cigars, 
Silver-mounted Ink-stand, 
Handsome Pen-holder, 
Silver Match -safe. 
Silver Hat-mark, 
Clothes Brush, 
Watch Charm, 
Scarf Pin, 
Reading Lamp, 
Neckwear. 



FOR LONE-HANDS. 



Writing Desk, 

Work of Standard or Popular 

Author, 
Framed Picture, 
Set of Card Counters, 
One or more Packs of Handsome 

Playing Cards, 
Box of Stationery, 
Handkerchief Box, 
Hooded Tally Punch, 
Card Case and Cards, 
Umbrella, 

Chinese or Japanese Ornaments. 



Pocket Book, 
Duplicate Whist Set, 
Gibson Drawing, 
Pack of "Stage" Cards, 
Photo Frame, 

Order for Yearly Subscription to 

Illustrated Magazine, 
China Clock, 
Opera Glasses, 
Silk American Flag, 
Florentine Thermometer, 
Florentine or Silver-mounted Mirror. 
Small Manicure Set 



22 ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 

Favors. — The giving of favors to each guest instead of 
prizes to the winners only is a very pretty innovation. Potted 
or cut flowers are most popular for this purpose, but favors 
can be selected in as great variety as prizes. One lady, in 
entertaining a fun-loving crowd, put up her favors in all sorts 
of odd-shaped packages, and allowed each guest, in turn, to 
select from them. The opening of the packages created much 
amusement. 

The Luncheon. — In the matter of refreshments almost 
unlimited scope is allowed. Forenoon parties are followed by a 
lunch, while the luncheon either precedes or follows an afternoon 
or evening party. 

' In some sections whist breakfasts are popular, with a 
luncheon at ten o^clock and a game of Whist after it, or the card- 
playing first with lunch at noon. Light lunches are generally 
preferred for card parties, the idea being at all times to make the 
card-playing the prominent feature, and the lunch, etc., merely 
accessories. Salads, sandwiches, coffee, fruits, cakes, creams 
and ices are generally used. Moulded ices are effective for any 
special party, such as a minute man about five inches high for a 
patriotic or Washington's Birthday Party, etc. Ices and cakes 
may also be colored to aid in any color scheme. Ices in the 
shape of hearts, spades, clubs or diamonds are popular. 

The use of bon-bons or candies at the card tables during play 
is popular with many. Yet it should be remembered that the 
principal success of a card party is the use of handsome, highly- 
polished cards, and that candy and good playing cards are natural 
enemies. It is almost impossible to avoid ruining the cards if 
candy or bon-bons are allowed on the tables. If desired, how- 
ever, they should be of a kind that will soil the hands and cards 
as little as possible. Salted almonds or peanuts are much better 
to serve than candies. If punch, lemonade or grape juice is 
served at the tables during play, the waiter should be instructed 
to wait and take the glasses from the guests so that they will 
not touch the tables. 

For a Dutch lunch the following menu is appropriate . 

Frankfurter. Weiner-Wurst. Bologna, sliced. 
Schmierkase. Schweitzer or Limburger. 
Cold Slaw. 

French Mustard. Horse Radish. Pickled Onions. 

Rye Bread. Pretzels. 
Coffee. 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 23 

For a Violei lunch : 

Violet-colored Hard-boiled Eggs, in sk 11, served on lettuce leaf. 
Celery Mayonnaise, in violet papers. 

Rolled Sandwiches, tied in violet ribbons. 
Violet Russe. Sponge Cake. 

Violet Punch. 

(Damson-blue and Cochineal will color any light-colored edible or liquid a 
beautiful violet tint,) 



The following may he utilised for various occasions. 

Chicken Salad. Lettuce. Sandwiches. 
Coffee. 
Ice Cream. Cake. 



Welsh Rarebit, 
Crackers. Cheese Straws. 

Coffee. 
Ices. Cakes. 



Bouillon. 

Salad. Olives, in crushed ice. 

Crackers. Rolls. 
Salted Nuts. Bon-bons. 
Tea Punch. 
Fancy Cakes. Fancy ices. 



Tomato Lettuce Salad. 
French Peas. Potato Balls. 

Chicken Croquettes. 
Small, Hot Biscuits. Brown Bread. Finger WaferSo 
Neapolitan Ice Cream. 
Assorted Cakes. Fruit. 
Chocolate. Coffee. 



Entertaining with Cards. 



Waldorf Sa-lad. 
Oyster Patties. Sandwiches. 
Cakes. Ice Cream. 

Coffee. 

Olives. Salted Almonds, 



Blue Points. 
Roast Squab, (or Quail in season). 
Salmon Croquettes. Chicken Salad. 

Olives. 

Lyonnaise Potatoes. Green Peas. 

Rolled Bread. Crackers. 
Salted Almonds. Ice Cream or Sherbet. Cakes. 
Coffee. 



Deviled Lobster, with Macaroni Timbales. 
Finger Rolls. Cherry Punch. 

Charlotte Russe. 



Turkey Salad. 
Escalloped Oysters. Cold Tongue. 

Creamed Potatoes. 
Rolls. 

- Ice Cream. Cake. 
Oranges. Bananas. Grapes. Sliced Pineapple. 
Coffee. 



Oyster Rarebit. 
Lobster or Chicken Salad. Russian Sandwiches.- 

Potatoes, au Gratin. 
Olives. Celery. 
Oranges, French style. 
Coffee, Chocolate. 



Entertaining with Cards. 



25 



Chicken Salad, with Mushrooms. 
Creamed Potatoes. Peanut Sandwiches. 

Celery. 
Bread Sticks. 
Pineapple Sherbet. Frosted Cakes. 
Coffee. Iced Tea. 

(Peanut Sandwiches. — Chop peanuts very fine and mix with a salad dress- 
ing-. Butter bread, from which crusts have been removed, and spread the nuts on 
it to the same thickness as the bread. Cover with another slice of bread, and 
serve on a lettuce leaf.) 



Oyster Cocktails. 
Brain Croquettes. Deviled Eggs. 
Small Beaten Biscuit. Rolled Wafers. 

Sliced Tomatoes, with Mayonnaise Dressing. 
French Coffee, with Whipped Cream. 



Broiled Oysters. 
Chicken Croquettes. Sweet Bread Patties. 

Lobster Salad. Olives. 
Ice Cream. Cakes. 
Coffee. 



Blue Points, in cracked ice. 
Baked Squab. Mushrooms. 
Green Peas. Asparagus Tips, in cream. 

Cucumbers. 
Strawberry Mousse. 



Recipe for Claret Punch for Serving at Tables During Play: The 
juice of two dozen lemons; half dozen oranges ; two pounds sugar; one pint of 
rum ; one quart of claret and three quarts of water. Keep well iced and serve in 
sherbet cups, with handles. 



26 



Entertaining with cards. 




Most Popular Games. 

UCHRE still seems to be the reigning favorite for 
progressive play, though in certain localities it 
has been supplanted by Whist — Duplicate, Pro- 
gressive or Drive — Cinch or Pedro, Five Hun- 
dred, Sixty-Three, and others. 

Euchre is the most sociable and easiest mas- 
tered of these games, and, as almost every one 
who plays cards at all is familiar with it, its popularity is not 
likely to wane. 

There seems to be a sociability in six-handed games that is 
lacking in four-handed, and that is rapidly bringing them into 
popular favor. Devotees claim that an evening at six-handed 
Euchre will make old friends out of chance acquaintances. Five 
and seven-handed Euchre are also played, not progressively, 
however. The score is kept at each table, and a favor given to 
the player having highest score at each table. 

Points, — In full-handed games, such as Hearts, Cinch, Pro- 
gressive Whist, etc., it is customary to play out either one, two 
or four hands at each table before progressing. Or, in the latter 
two games, a certain number of points may be played at each 
table. At Whist, generally 7 or 10; at Cinch, 21 or 32. Five 
points is generally considered a game in Progressive Euchre, but 
some players prefer seven points, especially in Rapid Euchre, thus 
making progressions a little less rapid. The score of any pro- 
gressive game can be kept by the number of games won during 
the evening, or by the total number of points won. 

Rules Governing. — The rules for scoring and counting, 
methods of progression and all other rules pertaining to the 
government of the play, are often a matter of dispute. The 
pleasure of the game is therefore materially enhanced if explicit 
instructions are given before starting the play as to what rules 
are to govern, rules for scoring, method of progressions, etc. 
Rules may be printed on a card and pasted on each table if desired, 
or may be read or announced by the host or hostess. The hostess 
should familiarize herself with the rules governing the game to 
be played in advance, so as to be able to decide all points arising. 
Some hints covering these points are given in the following 
remarks on progressive play. Rules for all games may be found 
in *'Card Games and How to Play Them," illustrated. Published 
by The United States Playing Card Company, Cincinnati. 
(Sample copy sent for ten cents in stamps.) 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



27 




Progressive play at cards consists of a series of partnership 
games, in which the partners change at the end of each game. 
It is played at three or more tables, numbered Table No. i (or head 
table), Table No. 2, Table No. 3, etc., four players (partners) at 
a table. The last table is sometimes called the booby table. 

Before the beginning of play, the hostess provides a suitable 
device for keeping a correct register or score of the games won 
by each player, and by which each player will be assigned to his 
proper position at the table where he is to play the first game. 
Positions should be assigned thus: ''lA" indicates that the 
player is to begin at Table No. i, head couple; "iB," Table 
No. I, side couple, etc. The scoring devices for ladies and 
gentlemen should be of different color, or bear other distinguishing 
marks. Prizes for the players winning the most and least games, 
most lone hands, etc., are provided at the discretion of the 
hostess. The game begins simultaneously at all the tables at a 
signal given by the hostess, or the tapping of a bell at Table 
No. I. Cut for deal at each table, low dealing. Ace being low. 

If the play is for a given number of points, as in Euchre, the 
play continues until that number of points have been reached at 
the head table. The other tables, in the meantime, may have 
played more or less than the given number of points. All play 
immediately ceases, however, when the bell at Table No. i is 
tapped to indicate that the game is finished. 

If the play is for a given number of tricks at each table, as 
in Hearts, Whist, etc., the players at each table play out their 
hands, count points won and score same, and then remain inac- 
tive until a signal announces that all the other players are ready 
to move. 

The winners at each table then move up to the next table 
(toward Table No. i), where the lady will find a partner in the 
gentleman and the gentleman in the lady remaining there. 
The winners at Table No. i move to the foot table (or, at the 



28 



Entertaining with Cards. 




GOING IT ALONE. 



discretion of the hostess, the losers at Table No. i may move to 
the foot table). The game is then resumed as before. 

Another very popular plan of progressing is for the winning 
ladies to move up toward the head table and winning gentlemen 
down toward the foot table, or vice 
versa. This insures a greater variety 
of partners. 

Another method is to have the gen- 
tlemen move toward the head table, 
the ladies remaining seated. To avoid 
fatigue, this may be reversed during one- 
half the evening, the ladies progressing 
and the gentlemen remaining seated. 

When a three-handed table is neces- 
sary, a very good rule is to allow no 
guest to remain at the three-handed 
table more than two games, allowing 
them to progress after the second game, whether winning or not. 

After the first game, the visiting (progressing) lady usually 
deals, except in Rapid Euchre, where, to save time, the remain- 
ing lady deals. 

In Euchre, and in some localities, in Cinch and Whist, the 
player winning most gimes is entitled to the prize. In Hearts, 
Cribbage, and in some localities, in Cinch and Whist, the player 
scoring most points during the entire play is entitled to the prize. 

Ties may be decided by cutting, or 
where games won are scored, one-half 
game may be scored for each player 
in case of a tie. 

In general, the laws of four-handed 
play apply. 

In case of a tie in the fmal score for 
prizes, the tied players shall play one 
game (or hand) to decide the score. 

Or, if agreed upon, they may cut, high 
winning-. 

In case four players are tied and 
play off for the prize, they play as 
individuals, not as partners. If one 
of the players takes in all five tricks ^ 
it scores three, not four points. 

In case a second prize is offered, and two players are tied for 
first prize, the defeated player on the play-off (or cut) is entitled 
to the second prize. If three or more players are tied, the high- 
est score on the play-off (or highest card on the cut) takes the 
first prize; next highest, the second prize. 




" YOU TRUMPED MY ACE ! ' 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



29 



In case of a tie for booby prize, the defeated player (or lowest 
cut) wins the prize. 

If, due to an unequal number of ladies and gentlemen, a lady 
should play in a gentleman's place, she is considered a contestant 
for the ladies', not the gentlemen's prize, or -vice versa. 

In case the players can not be divided into an equal number 
to play all four-handed tables, at the last table may be played a 
two or three-handed game. In this case two players progress, 
but only the one having the most points scores, except in case 
of a tie in a three-handed game, when both score. The rules for 
two or three-handed games apply at this table. 



30 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



Points on Conducting a Large Euchre. 

The following suggestions may be of assistance in arranging 
for a large Euchre; modifications being made to suit the number of 
players, size and shape of room, etc. For such an occasion a hotel 
usually offers more conveniences than a hall, and, in contracting 
for same, light, heat, dressing rooms, maids, chairs and tables 
should be included. 

Tickets for a public Euchre are usually issued not less than 
three weeks in advance, the price varying to suit the occasion. 

The tables and chairs for the players should be arranged in 
straight rows, whenever possible, progression being down one 
row and up the next. This style of progression and arrangement 
is indicated on the accompanying chart, which shows a lay-out 
for 256 players. 

To facilitate arrangements, the following committees may be 
appointed to advantage: 

First Committee— three members— On Halls. 

This committee to make all arrangements for hotel, tables, 
chairs, cards, score cards, etc. They should have super- 
vision of the chairs and tables, see that the playing cards 
are properly assorted and placed on the tables, etc. They 
should also collect the playing cards immediately after the 
play, with the aid of such assistants as is necessary. 

Second Committee— three members— On Tickets. 

This committee should arrange for the printing of the 
tickets, stamp or sign them, place them on sale in various 
places, keeping strict account of where placed and with 
whom, collect tickets turned in after the Euchre and turn 
them over to the Treasurer. 

Third Committee— three members— On Prizes. 

This committee should solicit or purchase prizes, select 
from those secured the handsomest and most expensive for 
head prizes, and distribute the balance for minor prizes. 
If the Euchre is given for a charitable purpose, prizes may be 
solicited from the local stores, these being added to from the 
expense fund, if necessary. 

If gentlemen are to play, an equal number of prizes should be 
given for gentlemen and ladies. 

A good plan for displaying prizes is to arrange a row of tables 
across the head of the room — one in the center for the head prizes 
and one at the head of each row of tables for the minor prizes 
(see chart) . The prizes on the table in the center are then awarded 
to the players in any part of the room having the highest scores. 



The 14 stars designate ladies in attendance — one in each aisle and two at 
each table. 

HEAD OF THE ROOM. 




Prog:ression starts from head of room to the foot, progressing in a circle from 
table No. 16 to table No. 1, as denoted by arrow. There is no head table-seats 
are taken according to choice of guests, and when the game is concluded, prize 
winners are allotted prizes from the table at the head of the aisle in which thev are 
seated when the gamp ends, 



32 



Entertaining with Cards. 



while the prizes on the tables at the head of each row of the 
playing tables are given to the players having the highest scores 
in that row (at the end of the last game). Prizes are distributed 
in the different aisles by the ladies who have charge of those 
aisles during play. 

A Manager (with power to appoint an Assistant Manager) 
should be appointed to have supervision of all arrangements, 
committees, etc. A Treasurer should also be appointed to have 
charge of the funds, and, if any corresponding is necessary, a 
Secretary may also be appointed. 

The Manager should stand in as central location as possible 
(see chart), and announce the beginning and end of the games. 
The Assistant Manager, or Treasurer, may have charge of the 
door and of any money taken in at same. 

The Manager, Treasurer and Secretrary should act as auditors 
of tickets and accounts. 

Guests may select any table in any aisle at which to begin 
play. There is no head table. 

When the guests are assembled ready for play, the ladies in 
charge of the aisles should each report to the Manager that all the 
tables in their aisle are filled. The Manager should then read the 
rules governing the games, explaining distinctly just how long 
each game is to last, how progressions are to be made, how prizes 
are to be awarded, how ties are to be decided, whether or not lone 
hands are to be scored or permitted, whether or not half games are 
to be scored, whether the first deal of each game is to be decided 
by cutting or otherwise, whether losers or winners progress, 
whether ladies playing in the place of gentlemen or gentlemen 
playing in the place of ladies are entitled to the prizes for their own 
or opposite sex, etc. These rules should be arranged by committee 
No. I, and should be plain, clear and distinct. 

After the rules are read a bell may be tapped or whistle blown 
to indicate that play is to begin. A good plan is to allow the games 
to last seven minutes each, at the end of which time a bell or 
whistle is again sounded to indicate progression. When all 
progressions have been made and games scored, the bell or 
whistle is again sounded for beginning the second game, and 
so on throughout the evening. If seven minutes are allowed for 
a game, 12 games may be easily played, allowing sufficient time 
for progressions and scoring between each. At the conclusion of 
the last game, guests should be requested to remain seated and 
absolutely quiet, to avoid confusion until after the prizes are 
awarded. The Manager then asks those present who have won 
12 games (or the total number of games played) to stand up and 
come forward to the head prize table. If no one has won twelve 



Entertaining with Cards. 



33 



games, the Manager asks if any one has won eleven games; then 
those having won ten games are called for, the prizes being 
awarded to each before the next number is called for. 

A good plan to decide ties for prizes is to have the tied 
contestants for each prize draw from numbered slips, laid face 
downward on the table. Thus, if there are four contestants for 
the prize, the slips should be numbered i, 2, 3 and 4, and should 
be thoroughly mixed up and laid face downward, each contestant 
in turn drawing one, No. i being awarded first choice or prize, etc. 

The general or head prizes should be awarded first to the 
players in the entire room having won the most games, after 
which the prizes in each row of tables are awarded to the highest 
remaining scores in such row — each row being taken up in turn. 

The following rules maybe found of service, being modified to 
suit the occasion: 

RULES. 

Each game will begin and end at the blowing of the whistle 
and continuing exactly seven minutes. There is no head table. 

Ladies cut for deal. Low deals, Ace being low. 

After the first game, the deal passes to remaining lady (the 
lady who has failed to progress). 

Players must continue playing and counting points until the 
seven minutes are up and the whistle blown; then the cards must 
be instantly laid on the table, and the two who are winners progress 
and score, moving to the table next highest in number. 

If a tie, all four count a half game, and the partners who score 
their points first progress. 

There will be no lone hands. 

Partners can assist. 

Ladies playing as gentlemen contest for the ladies' prizes, and 
vice versa. 

At the conclusion of the last game, which will be announced 
by the Manager, guests must keep their seats until the prizes 
are awarded. 

Prizes won are given out from the table at the head of the 
aisle at which the winner concluded his or her last game. 

Two short blows of the whistle during the games are intended 
to call the attention of players to some explanation. 

The U. S. Self-Scorer for Progressive Games will readily facilitate 
an accurate and prompt scoring of games as they are won. It consists 
of a specially arranged tablet tor each table. The top leaf of each 
tablet is torn off at the end of every game and given to the winners 
thereof. If a half game is to be scored, the leaflets are torn in two, 
cornerwise, and divided among all the pfayers at the table. A neat 
pocket or pouch is provided each player for holding these leaflets. 
This system of scoring is automatic, and, hence, does away with 
necessity of extra persons to register the score. 



34 



Entertaining with Cards. 



''Novel Card Parties.'' 



Many novelties in card entertainments have been devised by 
original minds during the past few seasons. Among them were 

A Ride and Rest Card Party. 

This is in form of an out-of-door euchre combined with an 
excursion to the country. Twice as many guests should be 
invited as there are room for in the conveyance provided. Half 
of the guests take their places in this conveyance and are driven 
a little distance out in the country, where a shady spot is found, 
and they alight and play progressive euchre, or any other desired 
game, upon folding tables, which have been brought with them, 
until the wagon returns and is loaded up with the remainder of 
the party. The second party passes the first one and rides some 
little distance further, and this is kept up until time for luncheon, 
which may be served in picnic style, or at a country inn, if 
convenient. The two halves of the party then combine in a 
general game of cards, after which another conveyance is brought 
into requisition and the entire party driven home again. 

A Pilgrim Card Party. 

(Colonial Card Party.) 

Invitations should be written or 
painted on birch bark, and interior 
decorations should be as much in keep- 
ing with the old-time Pilgrim interi- 
ors as possible. The floors may be 
scrubbed and sanded, the lights fur- 
nished from old-fashioned candles, 
fires in open grates, in front of which 
may be an old-time kettle hanging 
on a crane. From the ceiling may be 
hung bunches of field corn, rings of 
drying pumpkin, strings of dried 
apples, etc. A spinning wheel, manip- 
ulated by a lady in colonial costume, 
will add to the effectiveness. .At one 
such party the gentlemen were taken 
into the secret, and invitations 
extended to the ladies only. After 
they had all assembled there was a war-whoop on the out- 
side, and when the doors were burst open men dressed up as 
Indians came trooping in. A conch shell may be used in place of 




Spinning Wheel Back. "Congress.' 

Copyrighted, 1900, by 
The U. S. Playing Card Co. 



Entertaining with Cards. 35 

a bell for indicating progressions, and grains of Indian corn may 
be given the guests to indicate games won. A great many 
appropriate prizes may be procured. Spinning Wheel or George 




A COLONIAL PARTY. 



and Martha Washington backs, Congress Playing Cards, should 
be used. The same general idea may be utilized for a colonial 
party, the decorations and accessories being of colonial style. 

A College Card Party. 

A favorite college color combined with sporting paraphernalia, 
such as pertains to foot ball, spelling bees, base ball, etc. College 
colors should abound, and all other decorations should be as much 
in keeping as possible. Streamers and curtains may be used for 
decorating the ceilings and walls, with afoot ball as a center piece. 
This color plan is not difficult to carry out, and can easily be used 
for any of the numerous college colors, as, for instance, the blue 
of Yale, the orange and black of Princeton, the red and blue of 
Pennsylvania, etc. 



36 



Entertaining with Cards. 



Solomon Grundy Party. 

The tables are marked with the days of the week, and on 
each that portion of the Solomon Grundy jingle that belongs to 
the day of the week the table represents. Thus, the first table is 
marked ''Monday table. Solomon Grundy, born on Monday.'' 
The tally-cards for the first table should be decorated with babies' 
heads. The second, or Tuesday table, with pictures of bare- 
footed boys, with slates under their arms, and so on, the decorations 
on the tally-cards being in keeping with the room. 

An Indian Card Party. 

(A Row- Wow Party.) 

Invitation and tally-cards for an Indian Party may be printed 
or written on birch bark, or paper imitations of same, or on 
paper cut into the shape of tomahawks, tepees, etc. These latter 
may be hand-painted if desired. The house decorations should 

be Indian blankets hung as portieres, 
and used as couch and divan covers 
and mantle draperies, Indian rugs, 
etc. Indian ware, tomahawks, bows 
and arrows, beaded ornaments, war 
clubs, etc., replace the bric-a-brac and 
a miniature wigwam erected in an out 
of the way corner, adds effectiveness. 
These can be made of blankets. The 
receiving footman and serving maids 
may be dressed in Indian costumes 
which are easily made from burlap, 
with bright colored cambric trimmings 
and fringes. The headgear is a band 
of pasteboard covered with colored 
Rookujood Indian Back. "Congress- cloth and dccorated wlth feathers. 
Copyrighted, 1899, by A little vaseline rubbed on the face 

The U. 6. Playing Card Co. j j i j -ii -n 

and dusted with cocoa will give 
the proper color to the complexion, and a little rouge will 
complete the effect. A pretty idea for scoring games is to give 
each guest a little Indian basket, into which bright colored 
beads are dropped to indicate games won. Or, headbands 
may be given each guest into which a feather is stuck for each 
game won. A narrow elastic passed around the headpiece and 
fastened at intervals with thread, serves to hold the feathers 
in position. Small Indian chromos or colored photographs with 
a white card attached, may be used for tallies. Or, a little 
gilt or painted ''scalp" may be given to indicate games won. 
Rookwood Indian or Sitting Bull Playing Cards (Congress 




Entertaining with Cards. 



37 



brand) should be used. Prizes may consist of Indian ware or 
relics, pictures of noted Indians, etc., of which the variety is 
almost unlimited. Among the details of the luncheon, tiny wig- 
wams may be made of chocolate ice cream, molded cone shape, 
with three toothpicks spreading from the top. The guests to an 
Indian Party may be invited en costume if desired. 



Hustling=Joe Party. 

This is in the form of a fancy dress 
party, the guests being requested to appear 
in costumes as shown on the "Hustling- 
Joe" Playing Cards. Each guest may be 
allowed to select his own character from 
those shown on the card, or a particular 
card may be taken from the pack and sent 
to each guest with the invitation, to show 
the costume which it is desired they may 
represent. 

April Fool Card Party. 

A lady who is noted for her love of a practical joke sent out 
invitations for a Whist breakfast on April ist. When the 
guests arrived they were met by an untidy and apparently sur- 
prised maid who led them to the parlor, explaining that her 
mistress was down town but would be back in a few moments. 
After they had all arrived she walked in clad in a morning 
gown, greeted her guests pleasantly, but claimed that someone 
had played a joke on her by sending out the invitations. The 
guests were urged to remain, however, and when they were 
invited to the dining room where the table was spread, they 
realized that the joke was on them and not on the hostess. The 
lunch was served by courses, backwards — coffee being served 
first, then ice cream, and finally winding up with soup. Several 
mock dishes served to make the affair more laughable. After the 
lunch a pleasant morning was spent at Whist. Cards with com- 
ical picture designs on the faces were used, and the favors for the 
guests were made up into all kinds of misleading packages. 

Wedding Anniversary Card Party. 

Paper, Linen, Tin, Crystal or other Wedding Anniversaries 
may be appropriately celebrated by a card party entertainment. 
All the keepings of the party, of course, must be in conformity 
with the idea to be carried out. 




38 



Entertaining with Cards. 



A Secret Card Party. 

Sealed invitations are sent out, each person invited being 
requested to attend in sucii costume as is designated on the invi- 
tations ; with the request to keep the whole matter a secret. 

The costumes called for in the invitations may represent 
various nationalities, and the hostess should arrange so that 
there will be two people dressed to represent each nationality. 

If the party be one at which ladies and gentlemen are to be 
present, it should be arranged so that a lady and gentleman 
would constitute the pair representing each nationality, thus, for 
instance^ one pair may represent Japanese, another Turkish, 
others Indians, Darkies, Gypsies, Chinese, etc. 

The guests having arrived, each gentleman is requested to 
fmd as his partner the lady dressed to represent the same nation- 
ality as himself. 

The tables are decorated to represent the same nationality as 
the players, and the players having found their partners, must 
fmd the table at which they are to begin play by means of the 
table decorations. 

The chairs and decorations adjacent to each table should be in 
keeping with the characters to be represented at that table. 

The playing cards should also be in keeping, using Japanese, 
Chinese, Turkish and Indian cards, etc. 

Railroad Excursion. 

A merry company was called together by a host connected 
with a prominent railroad, who issued the following: 




About forty guests responded, many of them in fanciful attire, 
and carrying bundles, bird cages, rag babies, etc. Even the 
typical bride and groom were represented. Without an idea of 



Entertaining with Cards. 



39 



what was in store for them they were met by the host, clad in 
a gray ulster and flourishing a lantern, and the hostess, in a gray 
traveling suit. The library had been converted into a ''waiting 
room" and contained a "ticket office," from which an obliging 
agent distributed tickets of two different colors, and stamped with 
the name of the station at which each was to begin their journey. 




Bulletin boards of black card-board showed trains late on every 
road except the one on which they were to make their journey, 
and signs of all descriptions were scattered about the walls. A 
''news stand" helped furnish amusement, distributing old maga- 
zines and almanacs covered with wrapping paper, and bearing 
miraculous titles. Pickpockets added to the confusion. 



40 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



B agg/^ Room^I I 



indicated the stairway leading to dressing rooms, where the 
guests' wraps and the plunder gathered up by the pickpockets 
were deposited. 

When all had arrived a large gong sounded. Immediately the 
doors of the parlor, over which hung a sign, 



UNION DEPOT 



were thrown open. '^Conductor" and ''porter" stood ready to 
arrange the travelers in their proper places. Each table was 
labeled with the name of a station to correspond with the tickets 
issued. ''All aboard" was called, the bellrope pulled, and, as the 
bell rang, the journey began. 

The game was Railroad Euchre, with Chicago as head table. 
Twenty points were played at the head table, and lone hands 
were permitted at any table, players taking partner's best card. 
The conductor punched the tickets of the v/inners, and a news 
agent served passengers with salted nuts, lemonade, etc. 

As a diversion, the lights were suddenly extinguished after a 
few games had been played. Two villianous-looking masked 
robbers, with dark lanterns, blunderbusses and pistols of the 
vintage of 1700 entered, and proceeded to relieve the gentlemen 
of their watches. These robbers were two wits, who kept up a 
comical conversation during the "hold-up." 

The prizes were : First lady's — a doll trunk filled with fme sta- 
tionery; first gentleman's — a traveling rug in a shawl strap. The 
lady's and gentleman's consolation prizes were trains of toy cars. 

At the cry of "ten minutes for refreshments," the guests 
repaired to the dining room, where another surprise was in store 
for them. Here a "lunch counter" had been erected, and lunch 
was served in genuine railroad style. After the luncheon there 
was an auction of "unclaimed baggage," at which the plunder 
of the train-robbers and pickpockets were disposed of, having 
been made up into undistinguishable packages. Many laughable 
mix-ups resulted and the guests had a jolly time in finding their 
own property again. 

This form of party is applicable to any trip from one city, 
state or country to another. Headlights, locomotive bells or 
whistles can be utilized. 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



41 




(Valentine Party.) 



Appropriate for celebrating an anniversary or post-nuptial 
affair, or for St. Valentine's day or eve. 

Invitations should be heart-shaped, hand-painted, or in the 
shape of a valentine, with a dainty water-color design and quo- 
tation on the first page, the invitation being written on the 
third page. 

The game should be Progressive Hearts. 

The great variety of novelties in heart-shape allows an almost 
unlimited choice in the way of favors, prizes, tally-cards and 
decorative appointments, such as heart-shaped tally-cards, dec- 
orated with designs in Cupids or with an inscription of some 
appropriate quotation. 

The rooms may be festooned with red and white hearts cut 
out of cardboard or glazed paper. 

A very pretty plan for deciding partners is to attach a large, 
white heart to the wall. Pin on it small red hearts, with a target 
drawn on each, and each bearing the name of a lady guest on 
the reverse side. 

Procure a small bow and a number of arrows, sticking a pin 
or filed nail in the point of each. Each gentleman is then given 
three chances to pierce one of the red hearts with an arrow; 
if he succeeds^ the lady named on such heart is his partner. 
If he fails, the heart nearest his third arrow designates his 
partner. 

The two gentlemen hitting nearest to the center of the 
targets play at first table ; the next nearest at the second table. 
In case the arrows do not hit the hearts, the distance to the 
center of the nearest heart should be measured and noted on 
such heart, so as to aid in ascertaining tables at which start is 
to be made. 

Gilded wish-bones may be used for counters. These are 
attached to a ribbon, on which is strung a candy heart for each 
game won. The tables can be of heart-shape, and lighted with 



42 



Entertaining with Cards. 



coiour-de-rose candle sets, in silver or chinaware trays of heart- 
shape design. The prizes can be selected from a great variety of 
novelties: bon-bon boxes, chatelaines, pin trays, photo frames, 
lockets, which are always acceptable for the ladies; cigar cases, 
staan c^.^es etc,: for the gentlemen. 




HEARTS ARE TRUMPS. 



The menu may be limited to ices and cake, or may be more 
elaborate. The ices should be moulded heart-shape, and the 
cakes, sandwiches, cheese, etc., may also be cut in the shape of 
a single or double heart. 

The most appropriate flowers for decorations are clusters of 
bleedmg-hearts, forget-me-nots or heartsease. 

Cupid or Cherub-back playing cards should be used. 

Bicycle Euchre. 

A party of six ladies, with an eye for novelty, recently sent 
out invitations for a Breakfast Bicycle Euchre. The guests met 
at the suburban home of one of the hostesses with their wheels 
and in cycle costume. Two games of Euchre were played and 
scored on tally-cards, after which blue points, crackers and 
bouillon were served. Both guests and entertainers then mounted 
their wheels and rode to the residence of another of the hostesses 
some distance away, where another two games were played and 
another course of the luncheon served. This was kept up until 
each hostess had been visited. The affair was voted a very 
enjoyable novelty. 

Matinee Card Party. 

A pretty matinee effect for all afternoon card parties is 
obtained by drawing all blinds and curtains and lighting the 
rooms with artificial lights shaded in the prevailing colors. Rich, 
bright decorations rather than delicate ones should be selected 
for matinee parties. 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



43 



A Holly Party. 

Appropriate for Christmas or the holiday season is the Holiy 
Party, for which the decorations may be hoily festoons, and a 
sprig of holly should be given each guest on their entrance. 
Lights should be shaded with red and green globes ; the covers 
on the tables red and green cheesecloth; use red and green- 
backed playing cards. Little boxes, or holly-design, hand-painted 
pouches may be used, dropping a red holly berry into them to 
indicate games won. Prizes may be table cover embroidered in 
holly designs, vase with a holly spray running over it, picture 
with a sprig of holly painted or embroidered across the mat. 

Or, for Christmas, sewed bags, stocking- shaped and tied 
with ribbon bows, are appropriate. 

A tiny Christmas tree lit up with candles may bear on its 
branches the prizes, tally-cards, or favors, and little trinkets for 
counting games w^on — such as miniature watches, tiny dolls, etc. 
These may be dropped in the stockings mentioned. These little 
trinkets should be tied in bunches, enough in a bunch to score 
each game, and as many bunches as there are games to be played. 

A Patriotic Party. 

(Military Party.) 

ATRIOTIC Card Parties are always pop- 
ular and are easily arranged. The 
national colors may be easily and grace- 
fully draped for decorations. Manilla 
ropes, American flowers and foliage of 
any kind are also appropriate for decora- 
tions. The tally-cards may be of red, 
white and blue cards, overlapping, or a 
miniature silk flag may be used as the 
top leaf. If desired, a drum manipulated 
by a juvenile Uncle Sam may be used instead of a bell. 

A neat invitation for a Patriotic Party may be made by rolling 
red enameled paper around the fmger or a pencil so as to form a 
tube. Fold in and glue one end. Write the invitation in blue 
ink on white paper. Glue to the invitation a white or black 
string; roll up invitation and slip in tube. Then fold in the 
other end of the tube without glueing, and allowing the string to 
project. The result will be a neat imitation fire-cracker. 
Flag napkins and lunch cloths are appropriate. 
For prizes or favors select silk flags, portraits of noted patriots, 
pictures of naval vessels, jeweled swords or miniature guns, and 
other patriotic emblems. A silk flag pillow is easily made and 
makes a handsome prize. George and Martha Washington card 
backs. Congress brand, are appropriate. 




44 



Entertaining with Cards. 



Bud Party. 

(Debutante Party.) 

Similar to the Heart Party is the Bud Party for debutantes. 

Flower-buds should be utilized for decorations. Buds of 
various kinds may be attached to tally-cards for distinguishing 
partners and starting-point, or tally-cards may be cut out of card- 
board and painted to represent flower-buds. White and light 
pink, blue, or other delicate tint should be the prevailing colors. 
Prizes should be hand-painted or decorated to carry out the "bud'^ 
idea, and playing cards should be of dainty floral designs. 

Candied violets, rose leaves, etc., may be served and ices 
may be moulded in the shape of buds. 

Flower Party. 

(Primrose Party, Sweet-Pea Party, Carnation Party.) 

LOSELY allied to the Bud Party is the 
Flower Party, at which any favorite blos- 
som may be chosen as the central figure, 
as Primroses, Sweet-Peas, Carnations. 

Decorations are in the flower selected, 
and in crepe paper and ribbons to match, 
while invitations and tally-cards are hand- 
painted, with a dainty spray or group of 
the flowers, and playing cards with floral 
designs are used. A real or artificial flower 
may be given to score each game won, and 
potted plants as favors or prizes. 

A Bohemian Card Party. 

In sending out invitations to a Bohemian Card Party, where 
the guests are desired to appear in costume, the hostess may 
designate what nation she desires each guest to represent, or 
may leave it to their own discretion. If the former, the invitation 
should read: *'You are requested to be present and represent the 

country of , at the Bohemian Card Party to be given at the 

residence of Mrs. Smith, Thursday evening, January ninth, at 
eight o'clock." 

The decorations should represent emblems of various nations — 
flags being used profusely. 

The tally-cards should be flags in pairs, on which are painted 
or pasted flags of all nations. The designs for these flags may be 
taken from the Standard Dictionary. There is a children's game 
of Flags, in colors, published by the Cincinnati Game Company, 




Entertaining with Cards. 



45 



the cards of which make appropriate and handsome tally-cards. 
In place of tally-cards little dolls can be dressed, in pairs, in 
different national costumes, a boy doll being given to each 
gentleman and a corresponding girl doll to each lady. 

If desired, each table may be dedicated to a different nation 
and be draped with the flag of that nation. Thus, Table No. i 
may be Italy — two dclls^ a boy and a girl, may be dressed in 
black dresses and yellow caps, for one couple at this table, 
and two more in black caps and yellow dresses, for the other 
couple, etc. A little boy and girl dressed as Uncle Sam and 
Columbia may pass these to the guests. 

For scoring, tiny black and white dolls, attached to strings or 
ribbons, may be used — black for games won and white for half- 
games or lone-hands. 



The playing cards should illustrate different nationalities- 
such as Japanese, Chinese, Indians, or Napoleon for the French 
nation, etc. A number of very handsome designs are available. 

If desired, a different game can be played at each table, as 
described in the Grand Party. (See page 48.) 

The decorations may include the foliage of every clime. 
The tropical plants from Southern Italy, the great ferns from 
India, the beautiful, tinted leaves from the Netherlands, and 
pine boughs, luxuriant palms and fragrant cypress vine of our 
American forests, may be combined in artistic profusion through- 
out the house. Many appropriate prizes or favors may be 
procured, which are indicative of the. characteristics of the 
nations represented. 




ALL NATIONS AT PLAY. 



46 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



A Japanese Party. 

The Japanese Party is one which allows very wide scope for 
harmonious decorations and details. The decorations should 
follow out the style of the Japanese people, and draperies, rugs, 
fans and lanterns may be utilized. If desired, the guests may be 
invited to attend in costume. 

The number of guests is usually limited to twenty-four, 
according to the superstition of the Japanese people that the 
number 24 is the symbol for success and happiness. 

The invitations may be written on rice paper or paper napkins, 
or little Japanese dolls in boxes may be sent out, each doll 
clasping a note of invitation, thus: "Mrs. Smith sent me to 
request you to meet my kinfolks at a game of Fan Tan, Monday, 
November 12th. 'En costume.'" 

The arrangements of the rooms and all decorations are carried 
out in oriental effect — the tables being of bamboo, and above each 
player's place is suspended a tiny Japanese lantern. The tally- 
cards are in fan shape, with designs in water-color, or tiny 
Japanese dolls made of peanuts and with hats having at least 
two-inch brims may be used. The games won being punched in 
the brims of the hats, the queue, consisting of black, braided 
yarn, serving to attach the doll to the coat or dress. 

The favors are miniature fans or Japanese toys, which are 
kept as souvenirs of the occasion by the fortunate players. The 
decorations may be pink lotus blossoms, palms and ascension 
lilies. The prizes on such an occasion can be vases of rich 
oriental pattern, Japanese trays, or bon-bon boxes or baskets of 
rice-seed or willow-cane. 

The cards used should be in keeping with the decorations, 
and should be of Japanese designs on enameled backgrounds, 
in imitation of lacquer-ware. A large number of handsome and 
appropriate designs are available. 

The style of serving refreshments should be in the manner of 
this quaint people, with individual trays at tete-a-tete tables, or 
after the style of their more formal functions— that of placing low 
ottomans around for the guests, and serving drinks, with rice 
cakes, from a buffet; this, of course, to be supplemented by an 
elaborate feast in an adjoining apartment, at which the menu 
shall consist, if possible, of the odd dishes of that country. 
Crab-apple ices may be served, moulded in the shape of the lily. 
The hostess and those assisting may be gowned in oriental 
costumes, and all appointments should be in harmony with the 
decorations. 



Entertaining with Cards. 



47 



A Card German. 

An equal number of ladies and gentlemen should be invited, 
arranging to have one-third more guests present than the card- 
tables will accommodate. Designate partners by tally-cards, 
one-third of the tally-cards being designated thus : 

CONVERSATION 

Table No. 2 
Couple A 

Two "conversation" cards are given for each table, the lady's 
being marked "Couple A" and the gentleman's "Couple B." 
"Conversation" cards signify that the players drawing them are 
to accompany each other to the parlor or drawing room. Con- 
verse during the first game. The players assigned to the card- 
tables draw tallies as above, but with the word "conversation" 
left off. At the conclusion of the first game the winners first 
make a note on their tally-card of the number of table at which 
they are next to play, a program pencil being attached to the 
tally for that purpose. They then proceed to the "conversation 
room," being given a favor as they pass into the room, while 
the guests who have been conversing take their places at the 
tables designated on their tally-card. The lady and gentleman 
who have been partners during the "conversation" now play 
against each other. Thus, one-third of the players are at all 
times conversing, while the other two-thirds are playing. 



Porch Card Party. 

\HERE a wide, roomy porch is available, a 
Porch Party is a pleasing innovation on 
indoor play, especially so on bright, moon- 
lit evenings. The porch may be lit up 
with Japanese lanterns or piano lam.ps. 
The tally-cards may have a little pen or 
water-color sketch of a porch pillar with a 
vine climbing over it, a tree branch with 
the moon shining through it, or some other 
dainty design to suggest a summer evening, 
and dainty landscape-back cards should be used. Use camp 
chairs and low tables, and serve lemonade once or twice during 
the play. For choosing partners Japanese fans may be procured 
in pairs, a lady and gentleman being given each pair and starting 
play together. If the evening is warm the fans can be used to 
advantage. 




48 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



A Grand Party, 

Instead of playing one game only, a variety of games are 
introduced in a Grand Party. Grand — which is merely Whist 
without a trump — is played at the head tabie, and a different 
full-handed game at each of the other tables— thus, Cinch may 
be played at the second; Whist at the third; Hearts at the 
fourth. One or more "jolly tables" may also be innovated. At 
these, various laughable games may be introduced, such as Old 
Maid, etc. At one successful Grand Party the guests were 




compelled to sew buttons on a piece of cloth at one table, the 
couple sewing on the most, progressing. Similarily at another 
table, needles were threaded, and at another Jack-straws were 
played. The Grand Party may be used in connection with any 
plan of decoration, etc., desired. 

If desired, the leader at each table and deal may be allowed 
to name the game to be played after looking at his hand. In 
this case four hands should be played at each table before ringing 
bell, so as to allow each player to partake of the privilege. 

The games are scored as follows : 

Grand (Whist without a trump). Score nine points for each trick over six. 
Whist. — Score five for each trick over six. 

Hearts. — The side taking- the least Hearts subtracts the number they have taken 
from the number their adversaries have taken and add the result to their score. 

Cinch or High Five.— Each side acores what it makes. No bidding. The leader 
names the trump. 



Entertaining with Cards. 



49 



A Lawn Card Party. 

(Picnic Card Party.) 

For late spring or early autumn entertainment, a Lawn Card 
Party is enjoyable and easily arranged. The lawn may be dec- 
orated with flags or Japanese lanterns, and the tables arranged 
with plenty of space between them. Tally-cards should be hand- 
painted, with dainty little landscape designs, and landscape-back 




playing cards should be used, with a different design at each 
table. If in the evening, head-lights or even piano lamps may 
be utilized, in addition to the Japanese lanterns. These lights 
should be placed at some little distance from the tables. 

An innovation on the Lawn Party is the Progressive Card 
Picnic, at which the games are played on improvised tables, or 
light, folding tables, carried along for the purpose. A picnic 
dinner precedes or follows the play. 



50 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



An Owl Party. 




DECIDEDLY symbolic decoration for a 
^;,fy^^*|j Whist or other card party is the Owl, 
u-;;^r^p! ! and appropriate arrangements for a 
M i home or club entertainment can be 
^^^1/ I found to insure the success of an Owl 



il jr Party- 



Playing cards with owl design backs 
should be used, and the tally-cards 
can be in owl design, or may bear the 



inscription : 



"And the best of all ways to 1 ;ngthen our days 



Is to steal a few hours from the night, my dear." 



Or, ornamented with some pretty design or quotation, such as: 



The decorations should be in harmony with the occasion, and 
laurel leaves and palmetto, and even fresh branches from forest 
trees, in which are perched stuffed owls, can be used in preference 
to flowers. Appropriate prizes would be a clock in owl design ; a 
miniature owl in gold or silver ; or, a live owl, as the bird of 
wisdom, would be a novel gift for the first prize. 

The refreshments can include a menu of birds, braized fish, 
lettuce salad, mangoes, celery capote, etc., and with a company 
of friends, the affair can be made a veritable 



Where a Kodak is available, the Photograph Party may be 
made very enjoyable, being specially adapted to the opening or 
closing party of the season given by a card club. Small size 
snap-shots of each member should be taken in advance, and 
enough prints developed to allow of the making-up of a neat little 
book for each member, to contain a set of the photographs, cut 
in circular shape and mounted, one each in the center of a page. 
A title page containing the name, date, and a brief history of the 
club may be added. The cover may be of antique paper or of 
white satin or silk, printed with the club name in gold. The book 
may be stitched with silk floss or ribbons. It should contain one 
or two blank leaves for scoring, to take the place of tally-cards. 
One card club issued such a book at the first party of the season, 
and, in the back of the book, left enough blank pages for each 
•member to keep a record of the winners of each game during the 
season. 

For a private party, it is a very pretty idea to use tally-cards 



"Let us make a night of it." 



"Feast in season, and a game of owl." 



A Photograph Party. 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



51 



cut in heart or other fancy shape, on which are mounted miniature 
photographs of the hostess. 

For favors and prizes, photographs of famous personages, or 
landscapes or fancy photographs may be given. 

Another pretty idea is to have a photographer present to take 
a flash-light of the group at play. This is mounted on the third 
page of a neat four-page folder, on the front page of which is 
printed an announcement of the event, and is mailed by the 
hostess to each of her guests, as a memento of the occasion. 

A Poverty Card Party. 

(A Hard Time Party.) 

The invitations for a Poverty Party should be printed on 
heavy, rough strawboard or wrapping paper. The type used 
should be as incongruous as possible — one letter of a word being 
light-face type, the next black-face, etc., and script, roman and 
fancy letters may be mixed in indiscriminately. Or, unpro- 
nouncabie and badly spelled words may be scattered in without 
regard for their sense or meaning. 



pOvErTy c^IpD Pa^tY 



The invitations may be mailed in paper sacks such as are used 
in any grocery store. Novel conveyances may be used for 
gathering up the guests, as, for instance, an old broken-down 
carriage. At one "stag" Poverty Party a dray was sent around 
to gather up the invited gentlemxen. The costumes, decorations 
and menu should be as indicative of *'hard times" as possible. 

The tally-cards may be pieces of heavy express or wrapping 
paper, or strawboard torn into odd shapes and attached to a piece 
of rope to fasten around the neck. Or, a tin can may be furnished 
each guest, and pebbles, etc., used to score games. 



52 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



The bells may be attached to the table legs by heavy chains 
and padlocks. 

The hostess should be attired in calico and the host in linen 
duster or smoking jacket. 

The rooms may be lighted by tallow candles stuck in bottles. 

Appropriate playing cards are those with funny picture faces. 

The menu may consist of pork and beans, hard tack, coffee 
and doughnuts, served on tin or wooden plates and tincups. 
Wooden forks may be used. If desired, the chairs may be tied 
or chained to the tables, and the knives, forks and spoons tied to 
strings which are tied to nails underneath the table. 




Fortune=teIIing Party. 

A pleasant diversion for an evening's entertainment, especially 
on the lawn, is a Gypsy Party, at which a game of Fortune 
is arranged according to the convenience of the hostess. As 
perfect a representation as possible of a gypsy camp should be 
arranged. 



Entertaining with Cards. 



53 



The guests can be seated around an improvised camp-fire, 
where the Queen reads life's history from the deck of cards. 
If indoors, the decorations should carry out the effect of a 
woodland scene, and for a holiday event, pine boughs and holly 
branches can be formed in beautiful effect over the doorways 
and mantels. 

With the Fortune Cards now obtainable, it is an easy matter 
to play the part of the Gypsy Queen. 

The place-cards or favors can be novelties suggestive of good 
omen, such as a silver-mounted horseshoe, four-leaf clover, wish- 
bone, rabbit's foot, etc. 

All- Hallow E'en Card Party. 

A pretty idea is here suggested for celebrating the ancient 
custom of reading the Book ot Fate with cards on All-Hallow 
E'en. The evening can be devoted to fortune-telling, or the game 
of ''Hearts," or both, according to the pleasure of the guests. 




Fortune-telling cards are now obtainable, which can be interpreted 
with little or no previous preparation, thus making a fortune- 
telling entertainment an easy matter, and the same cards can be 
used for the card games, being adapted for either play or 
fortune-telling. 



54 



Entertaining with cards. 



The invitations for a Hallow E'en Party should be illustrated 
in pen and ink in designs of witches, or ghostly subjects, fairies 
or sprites in the moonlight, etc. 

The motto on the tally-cards could be: 

"I have set my wish upon a card, 
And I will stand the hazard of the play." 

The details should be in harmony with the occasion. The 
apartments dimly lighted, and the decorations can be the myrtle 
blossoms or the leaf of laurel. Hideous jack-o'-lanterns, cut out 
of pumpkins, and containing lighted candles, may be half-hidden 
in the darker corners of the room with telling effect. 

The collation is served in true Arabic style, the guests seated 
.upon the floor, and from the ceiling is suspended a lantern, shaped 
in pattern of huge skull, from the eyes of which gleam a lurid 
tray of red light. 

The menu can include the Cake of Omen, which foretells the 
luck of the guests as they receive the mystic portion. It includes 
the lover's ring, penny of fortune, thimble of spinsterhood, and 
bachelor's button, etc. 

The prizes and favors may be an emblamatic talisman — a 
gold or silver heart-charm, a coral necklace, a bracelet of mystic 
design, a key-ring, a clover charm, a rabbit's foot — or a dainty 
bit of china, a china cup and saucer, with the inscription, in 
dainty design : 

"You'll -find your fortune in a cup of tea." 

A Washington's Birthday Party. 

ERE are many mementoes of our first 
President which serve to make novel a 
Washington's Birthday Party. The cos- 
tumes may be of colonial style. The 
invitations may be cut from cardboard in 
the shape of a hatchet. The invitation 
is written on this, and the handle tied 
with red, white and blue ribbons. These 
may be delivered to your friends instead 
of being sent through the mails. Or, if 
desired, the conventional invitation may 
be used, painting or drawing a hatchet, a cherry or a cherry-tree, 
in the upper left-hand corner. 

The tally-cards for the ladies may bear portraits of Martha 
Washington, and those of the gentlemen, portraits of the ^'Father 
of his Country," or circular-shaped tally-cards may be used, with 
the first and last pages painted to represent a big, red cherry. 




ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



55 



Hatchet-shaped tally-cards are also appropriate. The playing 
cards may show the dome of our National Capitol or the head 
of George or Martha Wasliington, etc. 

The tables may be covered with thin cheesecloth, under which 
is white paper on which has been drawn in strong, black outline 
pictures of a cocked hat, flag, cherry tree, hatchet, etc. 

The decorations may be the Stars and Stripes and the National 
colors draped, and the prizes may be more or less elaborate 
portraits of George and Martha Washington, a jeweled sword, 
a tiny hatchet of ivory mounted in gold, a silk flag, etc. 

A Bachelor's Choice. 

For an evening card entertainment given by a wheel club, 
golf club, or other such organization, or in bachelor apartments, 
the game is usually limited to Whist, Euchre or Poker. Many 
of the club rooms and bachelor dens show a variety of favors 
won during a season's entertainment on this order, given in 
honor of the wives, sisters or lady friends. 

The decorations are usually a club or college color, or emblem- 
atic of the particular club, secret society or lodge to which the 




host is most attached, and the prizes can consist of mounted card 
cases with deck of cards, an umbrella clasp, hat band, cigar case, 
stamp case, collar and cuff buttons, cut-glass ink well, pens, 
pipes, or any other of the many novelties that are to be found in 
the jeweler's. The cards should be of sporting designs, such as 
hunting, fishing or outing scenes, or, if the host is a lodge man, 
designs emblematic arid in the colors of the lodge he belongs to 
should be used. 



56 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



Post= Easter Card Party. 

Invitations may be decorated with dainty paintings or pen 
sketches of Easter lilies, and decorations should be lilies and 
other floral ornamentation appropriate for the spring season, 
while dainty floral design cards should be used. A very neat 




scoring device is a miniature nest hung by ribbons, into which is 
deposited a tiny candy egg for each game won. Prizes may be 
Easter cards or favors; framed picture with lilies woven or painted 
on the mat; hand-painted egg shells, dressed up as dainty Kate 
Greenaway Girls, Brownies, Chinamen, Japs, etc. 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



57 



A Party of Famous People. 




ERY unique is the entertaining of a liter- 
ary or musical crov/d at a card party, 
arranging ail details symbolic of an 
opera, drama, or some popular produc- 
tion in literature. At one given a few 
months ago by a musical club, the tally- 
cards were in the style of a scroll, and 
engraved with a selection from an opera, 
and the favors were bits of ivory, with 
photographs in miniature of such favor- 
ites as Melba, Calve, the DeRezkes, 
Nordica, Lillian Russell, etc. 



Tiiis idea, carried out with artistic appointments, is most 
interesting, and permits of a collection of gems, in the way of 
favors, which would be worth winning. 

A suggestion for such an event, given by members of a literary 
club, would be score-cards in the style of a volume, with one 
leaf for scoring each game to be played, and with this inscription 
engraved on the cover : 

"With cards I while my leisure hours away, 
And cheat Old Time, yet neither bet nor play." 

Each tally-card to be a leaf of the volume, with an appro- 
priate inscription, taken from the writings of the standard authors, 
as on the first tally-card — 

"If all the year were playing holidays." — Shakespeare. 

On the second — 

"Rich the treasure, 
Sweet the pleasure." — Dryden. 

On another - 

"There is a society where none intrude." — Byron. 

And for the tally-card for the last game, to represent the last 
leaf of the volume — 

"I played at cards and never missed the time, 
It fled so pleasantly awav." — Holmes. 

Or this— 

"All's well that ends well." — Shakespeare. 

Pretty prizes may be given, such as a book of poems or 
standard novel, a gold pen, a handsome, mounted writing case. 

St. Patrick's Party. 

Here, of course, green should prevail everywhere. Green 
decorations, green table covers, green-tinted, enameled playing 
card designs, etc. The tally-cards or invitations may have 
painted on them pictures of shamrocks, or toads, snakes, etc., 
jumping into the sea and swimming away. 



58 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



Fancy Dress Card Party. 

(Historical Card Party, Shakespearean Card Party, Dickens Card Party.) 

Various ideas may be carried out in the way of a Fancy 
Dress Party. Costumes may be of a miscellaneous character, at 
the discretion of the guests, or may be confmed to historical 
personages, Dickens or Shakespearean characters, etc., at the 
discretion of the hostess. 




DICKENS CARD PARTY. 



Thus, for the latter the invitation may read : 
To Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith, 
Greeting: 

"Lend thy serious hearing- to what I shall unfold."— r/aw/g/. 
"Sir ( and lady) , you are very welcome to our house. 
It must appear in other ways than words. 

Therefore, I scant this breathing courtesy." — Merchant of Venice, 
"Say, what abridgement 

Have you for this evening?" — Midsummer Night's Dream. 
"Whist will be the pastime — passing excellent." — Taming of the Shrew. 
"If your love do not persuade you to come 

Let not my letter. ''-Merchant of Venice. ^^^^ g^^^^^ 

April twenty-first, at eight o clock. 

The tally-cards may be Stratford scenes, done in pen or brush, 
on rough paper or cards— or may be illustrations of scenes from 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



59 



Shakespeare's plays. For prizes: a small bust of Shakespeare; 
stem illustrating Fallstaff and his cup of sack; framed picture 
of Stratford-on-Avon ; framed picture of Romeo and Juliet, etc. 

One historical card club celebrates in favor of our Presidents 
in rotation — the first meeting of the season being in honor of 
Washington, the next John Adams, and so on through the list. 
The costumes, decorations and prizes are in keeping. The ladies' 
tally-cards have little descriptions of events during that particular 
President's administration, with dates of same on the gentlemen's 
cards. As a consequence the members read up in advance so 
that they can find their partners without displaying ignorance of 
their country's history. 

Appropriate playing cards for a fancy dress affair are those 
with Beardsley poster faces. The Stage Cards, or Congress 
Cards, with Napoleon backs, etc. 

Breakfast Card Party. 

The Breakfast Whist is popular in some localities. Guests 
are invited to meet from 10:30 to 12:30. In summer a shaded 
porch is utilized for play. Luncheon is served after the play. 

A country Breakfast Whist is an innovation on this. The 
hostess provides conveyances and she and her guests drive to a 
summer hotel within accessible distance, where lunch is served at 
12:00, and card-playing occupies the afternoon. 

Jack Frost Card Party. 

Invitations should be written on white-frosted cards, and may 
be rolled and tied with white ribbons. Decorations of woodbine 
and autumn leaves that "Jack Frost" has colored. Draperies 
should be white, and mantels and fireplaces banked with cotton, 
sprinkled over with diamond dust. The carpets may be covered 
with white canvas, and all corners filled with soft, white 
draperies. The effect of these is enhanced if lit up with tall, 
white candles. Use glass receptacles and ornaments wherever 
possible. The hostess should be attired in white, with hair 
powdered. Tally-cards may be of white card or celluloid, painted 
with winter scenes and frosted. 

A large cake of ice may be placed at center of dining table, 
with a hole excavated in the center to hold flowers or salads. 

The prizes may include framed winter scenes, or snow 
scenes painted on white satin, cut-glass ware, frosted silver- 
ware, etc. The "Jack Frost" idea is very effective at a matinee 
card party. 



6o 




A Dutch Party. 

(Holland Party.) 

A pleasant way of entertaining at cards as a supplement to 
the Dutch Lunch, which has become to be recognized as a popu- 
lar form of entertaining in the summer. The invitations for such 
an affair should carry out the Dutch style, thus: 



2 ^.ci- 6 cJhrc 



The appointments may be of a very simple style, and the 
decorations are usually clusters of branches of the linden plant 
The games of Cribbage and Euchre are the accepted ones on 
such an occasion, and the cards should be of blue delft design. The 
favors at the various tables can include many novelties, such as 
pretzels, pipes, miniature wooden shoes, steins, etc. 

The menu can be arranged after the style of the Dutch Lunch, 
as given in list of menus. 



Entertaining with Cards. 



61 



Masquerade Card Party. 

Closely allied to the Fancy Dress Card Party is the iVlasquer- 
ade Card Party. Among a company who are well acquainted 
this may be a jolly afl'air. In addition to the tally-card to guide 
the guests to the table at which they are to play, each guest 
should be given a large number for attaching to the coat or 
dress. After the play give each a pencil and card with as many 
numbers and blank spaces on it as there are guests. Each guest 
then fills in the names of those present, by number, as nearly 
as they can be guessed. Masks are then removed, and a prize 
awarded to the one guessing the largest number correctly. 

A Farmer's Card Party. 

(Rustic Party.) 

A Farmer's or Rustic Card Party may be made a jovial affair, 
the gentlemen vying with each other as to who shall have the 
most characteristic costume, and the ladies dressing as farm 




lassies, milkmaids, etc. Sweet milk or buttermilk may be 
served. Landscape playing cards, showing farm or rustic scenes, 
or colored pictures of an old farmer, are appropriate. Tally-cards, 



62 



ENTERTAINING WITH CARDS. 



invitations, etc., may depict farm houses, dairy maids, domestic 
animals, and even vegetables, ears of corn in the husk, sheaves 
of wheat, etc. 

A Color Party. 

(Scarlet Party, Pink Party, Violet Party, Orange Party.) 

The adoption of a prevailing color for decorations, either of 
the entire house, or each room, is easily arranged for and is 
always effective if well carried out. 

In this way a Scarlet Party, a Pink Party, a Violet Party, an 
Orange Party, and many others may be devised. The plan of 
color should not only be carried out in the decorations, but in the 
invitations, tally-cards, table covers, playing cards, favors, prizes, 
edibles, ices, etc. At a Violet Party that flower should abound, 
while scarlet, pink or orange flowers are appropriate when 
these colors are adopted. A very effective aid for a matinee 
or evening color scheme is to have the lights shaded with the 
prevailing color. 

Children's Card Parties. 

A pleasant afternoon or evening may be spent by the little 
ones playing Old Maid or the old-time Snap-Jack. Miniature 
cards are obtainable for such parties, and all the surroundings 
and details should be dainty and juvenile in character. 

A fine line of Educational Card Games has recently been 
placed on the market, and is on sale by dealers generally, which 
contains many fine games for children's parties and play, 
among them several which can be played progressively. Many 
parents will doubtless prefer these to regular playing cards for 
entertaining their children, as the games are really of educational 
merit and at the same time are very entertaining. For illustrated 
pamphlet describing them, send to the Cincinnati 'Game Co., 
Cincinnati, O. 



Fame's Whist Tray* 




Neat and attractive. 

No effort to insert or remove cards from tray. 

Cards can not be accidentally displaced. 

The most compact Duplicate Whist Set made. 

i6-tray set in box, measures less than 8 in. each way. 

Very strong and durable. 

The favorite among Clubs and Whist players. 

A Course of Whist Lessons free to each purchaser. 

Write us for particulars. 

Sold by dealers. 

Prices: 8-Tray Set, $4=00; 12-Tray Set, $5.00; 

i6-Tray Set, $6. 00; 20-Tray Set, $7.00; 
24-Tray Set, $8.00. Larger sets to order. 



Every principle protected by 18 patents.. 
Infringements will be prosecuted. 

// is an infringement to make a tray having any of the characteristics 
of these trays, whether for sale or for the maker's otvn use. 
It ts an infringement to sell an infringing tray, no maMer by whom made. 
It is an infringement to use an infringing tray, no matter hy whom 
made or sold. 

Trays made of different materials, of different shapes, or with different 
means of holding the cards, are merely mechanical equivalents. The 
Courts hold a pioneer patent to cover all equivalents. 

The U. Playing Card Co*^ Cincinnati, U* $• A» 

Sole Manufacturing and Selling Agents. 



Extra Fine Seal-Pattern 
Fame's Whist Trays^ 




An extra fine, strong and durable tray. 

Seal leather pattern in black or maroon. 

Will outwear the ordinary tray many times. 

Put up in handsome seal-pattern cases, with nickel-plated 

handle, name-plate, clasp, etc 

Has all the superior points of the regular Paine Tray. 
Especially suited for holiday or anniversary gifts, or for 



home or club play. 

Sold by dealers. ^ 

PRICES: 8-Tray Set $6.00 

i2-Tray Set 9.00 

i6-Tray Set 12.00 

20-Tray Set 15.00 

24-Tray Set 18.00 



LARGFR SETS TO ORDER. 



The S, Flaying Card Co*, Cincinnatit Ohioo 



Congress 

Playing 
Cards 

In Miniature. 



SECOND EDITION. 



THE U. S. PLAYING CARD CO. 

CINCINNATI, U. S. A. 



Copyrighted, 1901, by 
The United States Playing Card Company, 
cincinnati, u. s. a. 



Congress 

Playing Cards 

(GOI^D EDGES.) 

Are always satisfactory to place before card 
party guests. They are pleasing to look upon. 
Their rich designs in colors harmonize with the 
most elegant surroundings. 
Their clear-cut, cleanly printed faces and larg( 
indexes make mistakes in reading the cards 
almost impossible. 

They are so thin, crisp and elastic, and so highly 
finished, that it is a pleasure to play with them. 

CONGRESS Cards are for sale by dealers 
everywhere. If your dealer can not supply you, 
write us and we will send you the address of a 
dealer in your locality who will. 



Congress Playing Cards. 

IGOLD EDGES.) THIN, CRISP, ELASTIC. 




CONGRESS DELFT BACK. SITTING BULL t ROTTERDAM DELFT BACK. 




NAPOLEON BONAPARTE BACK= YACHT BACK. JOSEPHINE BACK. 

Back designs copyrighted. 1899-1900-1901, by The U. S. Playing Caed Co., Cincinnati, 0. 

Above illustrations are one-quarter the actual size of cards. 

In ordering-, do not tear or mutilate book, but order by name and color of back. 



Con§:ress Playing Cards. 

(GOLD EDGES.) THIN, CRISP, ELASTIC 




MOON FAIRY BACK. GOOD NIGHT BACK. 




SPINNING WHEEL BACK. ROOKWOOD INDIAN BACK. — w - I AHEEL BACK. 




OLD MILL BACK. RUBE BACK. OLD MILL BACK. 

Back designs copyrighted, 1899-1900, by The U. S. Playing Card Co., Cincinnati. 0. 



Above illustrations are one-quarter the actual size of cards. 

In ordering, do not tear or mutilate book, but order by name and color of back. 



Congress Playin^ Cards. 

(GOLD EDGES.) THIN, CRISP, ELASTIC. 




WEB BACK. STORM BACK. WEB BACK. 

Above illustrations are one-quarter the actual size of cards. 

In ordering, do not tear or mutilate book, but order by name and color of back. 



No. 68. The Nile Fortune=Telling cards. 

"Fortune-Telling" affords much entertainment at bazaars, lawn fetes or house 
parties. These cards enable any one to become a fortune-teller without study 
or memorizing:. The meaning of each card is plainly printed on its face. 
Full instructions, adapted from old Egyptian methods, accompany each pack 
Cards may be used for playing all card games as well. 

PLAIN OR GOL.D EDGES. 



No. 39. Trophy Whist Playing cards. 

A most satisfactory card for Whist players, because corner indexes are large 
and easily read. Court cards have conventional faces, spot cards are printed 
on tinted panels, surrounded by wide margins. Backs have geometric 
designs. Fine quality ; perfect finish and slip. 

Whist size (23^4x3^2 inches) j4-inch narrower than standard size card. 

PLAIN OR GOLD EDGES. 



No. 175. National Whist Playing Cards. 

V A favorite card with Whist players. Clear-cut conventional faces and corner 
indexes; tinted enameled backs. Made of pure linen stock; perfect slip 
and finish. 

Whist size (23^x3^ inches) %-'mch narrower than standard size. 

/"--^ PLAIN OR GOLD EDGES. 




No. 888. Mystic Playing Cards. 

Designed especially for secret society men. Backs and Jokers have emble- 
matic designs in the proper colors. The Elks, Shriners, Odd-Fellows, 
K. of P. and Goat backs. Club faces; large corner indexes; fine quality. 

PLAIN OR GOLD EDGES. 



GOLD EDGES ONLY. 

No. 1. Bijou Whist Playing Cards. 

Players who desire the finest Whist card made will select the Bijou. Con- 
ventional design faces, printed in five colors; backs richly decorated in 
brilliant colors. The finest laid linen stock. Finish and slip are perfect. 
Whist size (2^x3^2 inches) ^-inch narrow'^r than standard size. 



No. 65x. The Stage Playing Cards. 

A pleasing novelty. The Court cards show medallion portraits of favorite 
actors and actresses, in settings of gold and colors. Tinted panel spot cards 
Very handsome and appropriate for a gift or card party prize. 

GOLD EDGES ONLY. 



Whist Lessons Free. 

00 mail, with each set of 

^ Paine's Whist Trays bought from 

your dealer. Write us for particulars. Our 
booklet, ^'Simula Whist,'' teaches principles of 
the game in an evening. Mailed for 2c. stamp. 

Paine's Duplicate Whist Trays. 



Compact — Durable — 
the most satisfactory 
for playing Duplicate 
Whist, a very fasci- 
nating game. Can be 
learned in an evening. 
Skill alone counts— not luck. Above book explains. 
Trays covered by i8 patents. hifringements 
prosecuted. Sold by dealers, or address 




PAINE TRAY. 



The U. S. Playing Card Co., Dept. 37, Cincinnati, U. S. A. 




The U. S. Self =Scorer 

For four and six-handed progressive games. l| 
Copyrighted 1897. Patented October 19, 1897. Will 
detect and instantly correct errors in the score, and the 
final count may be made quickly and without confusion. 
The only scoring system by which tie games and lone 
hands can be scored to advantage. Put up in sets from 
I to 100 tables. Scores 40 games. 
Sold by dealers, or sample set, 15c. per table. 

The United States Playing Card Company, 

CINCINNATI, U. S. A. 




■ CAME 2. • 
ICAME 3. i CAIVIE^3, 



One Lone Hand. 

One Lone Hand. 

One Lone Haiyl 
One Lone Hand| 
One Lone Hand I 



Tablet ready for beginning pl-^y. 



020 565 630 



